The fairy pitta is a small and brightly colored passerine bird. It is also known as the “little forest angel” in Taiwan and the “eight colored bird” in Japan, North Korea, and South Korea. The fairy pitta can be easily recognized for its plumage of seven (not eight!) different colors that resembles a rainbow. Its back and wing bows are green, while the scapulars (shoulders) and upper tail coverts are green and cobalt. There is a blue rump on upper tail coverts. The tail is dark green with a cobalt tip, and the tarsi (legs) are yellowish brown.

Whenever I see a picture of a fairy pitta, it reminds me of when I met one in the rural areas of Korea. As I tried to approach the bird, it inflated its body as if it were trying to intimidate me and then flew away. I hope I have a chance to meet one the next time I visit Korea.